50 Ways Delaware Gives Back

Delaware is not only The First State, it may be—pound for pound, so to speak—the best state. To prove that point, for this second annual Optimism Issue the staff of Out & About put together a list of 50 ways the people, the organizations, and even the government of Delaware give back. And we’re convinced it’s only a partial list, so if you have some suggestions, feel free to drop us an email or contact us on Facebook. In the meantime, count your blessings. Here are 50 of them:

1. The Delaware Charity Challenge provides fundraising opportunities through 5K races and other athletic events in which teams vie for prize money for the charity they represent. The Challenge has helped teams collectively raise more than $150,000 for nonprofits and charities since its inception in 2015.

2. Now in its 12th year, University of Delaware’s dance marathon charity event, UDance, is the school’s largest student-run philanthropy and has raised more than $7.15 million dollars for the Andrew McDonough B+ (Be Positive) Foundation, which supports medical research and financial assistance for families of children with cancer nationwide.

3. With roots tracing back to the 1830s, the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Wilmington provides critical direct care and human services to more than 100,000 individuals and families in need, regardless of their religious affiliation.

4. The “We’ve Got You Covered” campaign, sponsored by Wilmington’s Greenhill Pharmacy, each year provides blankets to those in need. This winter, some 3,700 new blankets were distributed.

5. Since 1972, St. Patrick’s Center has provided Wilmington’s East Side with emergency food, meals, respite for the homeless, clothing, transportation, and recreational activities. The Center nourishes 1,500 families each month with help from a team of staff and volunteers.

6. The Sunday Breakfast Mission has been providing Delawareans in need with meals, shelter, and even basic medical services since 1983. This past Christmas, the Mission held a special toy store shopping event in Wilmington for families in need, and parents of more than 400 children were able to pick out toys, books and games from 2,000 gifts that were donated by the community.

7. The Ministry of Caring has provided the homeless and working poor with meaningful care and services since 1976. On Sunday, April 29, at Harry’s Ballroom, 2020 Naamans Rd., the Ministry will host the Emmanuel Dining Room Auction, which will help to feed the 180,000 visitors annually at its three sites located in disadvantaged neighborhoods in Wilmington and New Castle. To register to attend the auction, purchase Grand Raffle tickets, or purchase a sponsorship, call Cindy Gamble at 516-1069.

8. The Delaware Community Foundation plays a vital role in the philanthropic scene in Delaware, allocating funds to many organizations. Last year, the foundation awarded $253,152 to 18 organizations.

9. The annual Dancing with the Delaware Stars event, now in its eighth year, took place at the Dover Downs Hotel on Jan. 27. This event benefits both Mom’s House of Wilmington, which provides free child care for single parents attending either high school or college, and the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware, which offers affordable before- and after-school care for kids from kindergarten through high school. Last year’s event generated a landmark amount of almost $200,000, which was split evenly between the two organizations.

10. Dewey bartender Kacey O’Brian started “Donation Tuesday,” a weekly event at Woody’s Bar & Grill in Dewey Beach, last May. One hundred percent of the tips go to a local charity in addition to money earned from raffling local artwork. O’Brien was inspired by the special donation event held at Woody’s for the family of fallen Delaware State Police Cpl. Stephen Ballard.

11. Millville Pet Stop provides owners the opportunity to have a photograph taken of their pet on “Santa Paw’s” lap at Christmas time for a $10 fee. Proceeds from the annual event help several local charities that focus on animal welfare.

12. The Ronald McDonald House provides a safe, affordable “home-away-from-home” for families of children who are undergoing serious medical treatment. Along with the house, there are Ronald McDonald family rooms in pediatric units in three Delaware hospitals.

13. The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, with the help of more than 90 volunteers, went to work this past December, planting 12,000 trees on 12 acres of land at the Perry Tract of the Angola Neck Preserve. This latest effort completes the four-year project to convert 36 acres to forested land.

14. For 14 years, Bob Reese has been running the annual “Feed the Troops” event. Last year, Reese, along with dozens of volunteers, Dover Motorsports, and the 512th Airlift Wing, hosted the annual holiday dinner in Hangar 792 for dayshift and nightshift personnel at Dover Air Force Base.

15. John Walsh, of Lewes, last November received the AARP Andrus Award for his volunteer work on behalf of senior Delawareans. Walsh has spent his retirement helping the elderly as an AARP advocacy volunteer and has been effective in moving legislation on various issues, including manufactured housing, caregiving, transportation, and other issues senior Delawareans face.

16. The Plantation Lakes community of Millsboro last year raised $4,700 for local breast cancer programs and services and donated it to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, which since 1991 has been at the forefront in addressing issues women of Delaware face regarding breast cancer.

17. Priya Jayakumar, a ninth grader from Bear, started Charity Crossing two years ago with her family. This winter, Charity Crossing provided socks for those in need. Priya raised awareness about this issue by having Feb. 14 recognized as “Socks for the Homeless” day in Delaware.

18. Middletown’s Kevin Schatz has made volunteering the main objective of his local brewery, aptly named Volunteer Brewing Company. The staff and customers are engaged in volunteer opportunities, with the goal of improving their town and maintaining the small town feel so many associate with Middletown.

19. The annual Best of Delaware party, set for Aug. 2 at the Chase Center on the Riverfront, will raise funds for worthy local causes while at the same time celebrating people, places, services and restaurants that have received the esteemed Best of Delaware award. Order tickets at delawaretoday.com for $60, or purchase them at the door for $75.

20. Southern Delaware’s nonprofit organization Next Gen last year held a Chow Down for Charity Dinner that raised some $12,000 for three youth organizations dealing with addiction prevention, active addiction treatment and reentry into society.

21. Competing for a cause, and not just a trophy, is the slogan of the Cheer for Charity event that is coming to Newark on March 18. This regional competition for young cheerleaders got its start in Delaware in 2006, and since then it has raised more than $310,000 for the Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children.

22. Founded in 1946, the United Way of Delaware (UWDE) has a mission of advancing the common good by focusing on the strategic areas of early education, college, career readiness, and financial stability. This past year the UWDE exceeded its $1.2 million year-end goal by raising more than $1.4 million.

23. Operation Warm is a program run by Wilmington Firefighters Association Local 1590. They work with the community to raise money to purchase new, American-made coats for children in need. They not only help local children, but also contribute to saving jobs and supporting American businesses.

24. Through a federal grant, the Delaware Forest Service offers up to $40,000 each year to communities throughout the state for tree planting, tree care, and tree management. The program is dedicated to enhancing Delaware’s community forests, which play a critical role in our quality of life.  More at delawaretrees.com.

25. The IN Wilmington Campaign co-hosts an annual “INtheSpirit” holiday party with co-working space The Mill. Last year, 10 local restaurants and breweries, more than 20 area artists and musicians, and 250 community members joined in to help 32 needy Wilmington children/families and to highlight arts talent in Wilmington. Overall, the event provided 104 presents, gift cards and financial contributions totaling more than $1,000 for families in need.

26. Mélomanie—known for musical “provocative pairings”—also pairs with charities to expand community experiences and to provide for those in need. For the past two years, Mélomanie has contributed two-week music classes to middle and high school students of UrbanPromise. To benefit the Sunday Breakfast Mission and Friendship House, the ensemble invited audience members to contribute gloves and hats for residents in exchange for free admission to a winter concert.

27. The Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition is an annual free event designed to give artists at all skill levels a unique opportunity to exhibit their creative work and to compete for cash prizes. All participants are current employees of the State of Delaware, or immediate family members. This year’s exhibition will be at Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery, Dover, from Feb. 26-March 19. The awards ceremony and reception will be on Sunday, March 18, from 1-3 p.m. For more information, visit arts.delaware.gov.

28. Jonathan W. Whitney joined the Delaware Art Museum last July in a newly created position to foster and grow community engagement in and around the Museum. His role is to produce Connected, a free program series that features events produced by and for the community. Past events included art therapy with people affected by cancer, and a special program called “Portraits of Wilmington,” where artists drew more than 40 portraits of Wilmingtonians from all walks of life. For more information, visit delart.org.

29. C.E.R.T.S., Inc. was founded to support young adults with multiple severe disabilities through an active, movement-oriented day program. In addition to its physical and occupational therapies, it offers art therapy, through Art Therapy Express, whose therapists provide hands-on sessions and use specialty molded tools made by University of Delaware students in the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering Department. The students created arm splints and rollers to provide maximum support and promote independent art expression. For more information, visit arttherapyexpress.wordpress.com.

30. Delaware has approximately 506 miles of public trails and multi-use pathways, thanks to state and county initiatives.

31. In 2017, Delaware Wild Lands (DWL) planted 21,000 trees in the Great Cypress Swamp in Frankford. Since 2011, as part of DWL’s sustainable forest management program, 194,000 trees have been planted and 160 acres have been added to the swamp.

32. Delaware Nature Society, dedicated to protecting and enhancing natural biodiversity and environmental education, manages more than 1,850 acres of land in Delaware and southeast Pennsylvania and protects more than 100,000 acres. Plus, volunteers contribute 20,000 hours of work annually.

33. Over the years, Delaware Wild Lands has done wetlands restoration work in all three counties. The latest project at Milford Neck in Kent County is known as “Deadwoods” because saltwater killed a distinctive stand of old trees there. However, DWL’s restoration work expanded freshwater wetlands and made these 12 acres more resistant to future saltwater intrusion.

34. The Red Clay Valley Scenic Byway is in the process of becoming a National Wildlife Federation Certified Habitat Community. The Byway comprises 28 secondary roads within the Red Clay Creek watershed and is the first in the U.S. to be based on the watershed model. If you own a home, business, or other land within the Byway, then making your land a Certified Wildlife Habitat will help achieve this goal.

35. Last summer, Gordons Pond Trail in Cape Henlopen State Park saw 700 visitors per day on weekends and 500 on weekdays. Combined with other area trails, the Gordons Pond Trail figures prominently in the evolving 15-mile regional trail system between Lewes and Rehoboth. Last fall, the trail became a prime location for birders, too, according to DNREC and Delaware State Parks.

36. Construction is underway on the Assawoman Canal Trail in Ocean View. When finished, the one-mile long trail will link Route 26, Central Avenue and Elliott Avenue in Ocean View, providing new recreational trail opportunities for biking and walking. More important, the trail is part of a regional trail, pathway and sidewalk network linking ocean-area roads.

37. There are currently 111,400 food insecure Delawareans, a number volunteers, contributions and the Food Bank has helped lower over the past few years. The Food Bank is currently serving 4,201 meals each week through its After-School Meal Program for kids. In 2017, it distributed 7.7 million pounds of food throughout the state—an increase of 604,000 pounds.

38. Delaware restaurateurs, in collaboration with the Delaware Restaurant Association, are helping to develop the culinary leaders of tomorrow through the Delaware ProStart Program (a culinary and management education initiative for high school students). The program is largely funded through grants, donations and sponsorships. Currently, 18 high schools in the state are participating.

39. The Delaware restaurants and foodservice companies currently provide 49,200 jobs in Delaware, accounting for 11 percent of the employment in the state. Ninety percent of these businesses engage in some type of charitable activity, resulting in tens of millions of dollars pumped back into the local community.

40. The revamped Slam Dunk to the Beach debuted four years ago and has grown ever since, becoming one of the state’s premier sporting events. Says Dr. Matt Robinson, chairman of the Delaware Sports Commission. “Sports is an important and expanding segment of the tourism industry in Delaware. Since 2009 the events DSC has worked with have generated more than $60 million in economic impact.”

41. The Wilmington Grand Prix has been named to USA Cycling’s national calendar for the 11th straight year and will bring an international cycling field to Downtown Wilmington May 18-20. The event has generated more than $3.5 million since 2012.

42. The Buccini/Pollin Group is scheduled to build a 140,000-square-foot, 2,500-seat multipurpose sports complex and youth training center near U.S. 13 and Garasches Lane on the east side of the Christina River. The facility, to be called the 76ers Fieldhouse, will be home for the 87ers basketball team, a 76ers minor league affiliate, and will provide athletic training opportunities to the area’s underserved youth.

43. On Jan. 20, for the second year in a row, the Beau Biden Foundation partnered with the Delaware 87’ers for a night of basketball, safety, and fun at the Bob Carpenter Center as the Sevens took on the Erie BayHawks. The Sevens showed their support for the Foundation and the protection of children by wearing Beau Biden Foundation jerseys. Some 500 kids got a Beau Biden Foundation basketball, and the Foundation received a portion of ticket sales.

44. Some 800 volunteers serve on a rotation schedule on 65 delivery routes each day for City Fare, one of five meal delivery programs run by Meals On Wheels Delaware (MOWD). Last year, City Fare delivered about 300,000 meals throughout Wilmington and New Castle County. Statewide, MOWD delivered 727,418 meals to 4,093 seniors ages 60 and over in 2016.

45. Dogfish Head Brewery annually donates an estimated $500,000 to more than 200 groups through financial sponsorships, donated beer, the Dogfish Dash and other special events. Its tasting room and tour team will give away their tips from 2017 (in excess of $50,000) to more than a dozen non-profits.

46. The state continues to give back to its citizenry through its Greenways Program. When construction wraps up in a few months on the Wilmington-New Castle Greenway (aka the Markell Trail), Delaware will gain a remarkable new asset: a flat, paved, and nearly uninterrupted non-motorized seven-mile route between the Wilmington Riverfront and downtown New Castle.

47. Since 2012, and including figures for the current show, more than 100 musicians will have put more than 8,500 hours into rehearsals for the Shine A Light series of concerts. These sold-out shows have helped raise a net profit of more than $500,000 for the Light Up The Queen Foundation, a local non-profit focusing on community-building through programs in arts, music, education, workforce development and mentoring.

48. Through dozens of concerts since 2006, hundreds of area musicians and administrative volunteers have donated their time to the Brandywine Red Clay Alliance, an environmental group focused mainly on local water quality and quantity. Eight years of DeadFest concerts combined with the Jam on the Brandywine series (2006-2016) have help raise more than $275,000 toward the alliance’s restoration and conservation efforts.

49. Volunteers from Harvey, Hanna & Associates and dozens of area breweries—in partnership with Penn Cinema—helped raise more than $45,000 for local non-profits last year as a result of the monthly Movies On Tap series, which pairs regional craft beers with classic movies. For more details on Movies On Tap, see the article on page 57.

50. Christiana Care Health System and WXPN continue to partner with area musicians to bring WXPN’s Musicians On Call program to patients at Christiana Care’s Wilmington Hospital, which is coordinated locally through Christiana Care’s Volunteer Services. Since 2014, area artists have brought the power of music to more than 6,100 patients, family members and hospital staff members.

The New Faces of Blue Hen Football

New Coach Danny Rocco with some of the in-state talent on his defense: (l-r) Colby Reeder, Grant Roberts and Troy Reeder. Photo Moonloop Photography

In their first season, UD’s head coach and AD have the players believing. The fans may be a harder sell.

Danny Rocco, who seven months ago was picked to lead the Delaware Blue Hens football team, is entering his 34th year of coaching—the last 11 as a head coach in the college ranks.

Football coaching is the Rocco family business, with dad Frank having been a longtime coach at both the high school and college levels; two brothers who spent their lives as high school coaches; and son David, who coaches wide receivers at Western Illinois.

After six years at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., then five seasons with Richmond, Rocco, 57, was hired by first-year Athletic Director Chrissi Rawak as UD’s new head coach in December.

As a head coach, Rocco has never had a losing season, and he doesn’t plan on seeing that streak broken now as he leads the Hens into the 2017 campaign.

Athletic Director Chrissi Rawak arrived from Michigan last May. She hired Rocco in December.
Athletic Director Chrissi Rawak arrived from Michigan last May. She hired Rocco in December. Photo Moonloop Photography

“Success starts with high expectations, and Delaware expects to have a very competitive football team that’s smart, fast, and physical,” he says. “Our focus is on finishing better,” he adds, referring both to individual games and the season overall. “If we can finish better, we’ll be competitive.”

A competitive team is something die-hard fans like husband and wife Brian and Sarah Raughley have been waiting years to see again.

Brian, owner of Dead Presidents in Wilmington, and Sarah are long-time season ticket-holders and have spent many fall Saturday afternoons cheering on their alma mater at Delaware Stadium.

In fact, their midfield box has been in Sarah Raughley’s family for more than 50 years, and three generations of relatives from all over the state regularly gather in Newark for home games.

In recent years, however, both the on-field product and the highly unpopular University of Delaware Athletic Fund season-ticket tariff have dampened their enthusiasm.

“There’s a group of eight of us,” says Brian Raughley, “and one guy was ready to give up his ticket last year.”

That’s partly because Delaware is coming off two dreadful 4-7 years—the first back-to-back losing seasons since 1939—and a six-year postseason drought. One has to go back to 2010, when K.C. Keeler led the Hens to the FCS Championship Game, to relive some of that former Blue-and-Gold glory.

Asked about the slump, Rocco says, “As a coach, I’m always trying to identify problems without attaching blame. A number of things needed attention, including player development.”

Improving this area has been an early focus of his tenure, and seven months in, Rocco sounds upbeat.

“Things are going well. We’re off to a good start,” he says.

His boss agrees.

“He’s done all of the right things so far,” says Rawak. “Rocco’s done a tremendous job and I’m excited about the future.”

As for Brian and Sarah Raughley’s pessimistic box-seat companion?

“He decided to stick it out one more year after Coach Rocco was hired,” says Brian Raughley.

Four Coaches in 62 Years

Delaware football has a storied history that includes national championships, Hall of Fame coaches, NFL standouts and an enthusiastic fan base.

UD accumulated six national titles between 1946 and 2003, and is one of only two schools in the country to have three consecutive coaches enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame: Bill Murray, David M. Nelson (who instituted UD’s famous Wing-T offense and gave Delaware the iconic Michigan-style “winged” helmet), and the now-legendary Harold “Tubby” Raymond, who retired in 2001.

When Keeler took over in 2002—only the fourth head man in 62 years—he brought with him a new offensive philosophy and installed a no-huddle, spread offense in place of the Wing-T.

He took Delaware to its last national championship – its first ever in Division I-AA—in 2003, but his teams lacked consistency over an 11-year tenure. Despite being given a 10-year contract extension in 2008, Keeler and UD parted ways after the 2012 season, when the Hens finished 5-6.

Rocco has made some changes of his own, the most significant being the installation of a 3-4 defense. This alignment dates to his stint as linebacker and special teams coach with the New York Jets in 2000.

He has stuck with the 3-4 because, he says, the extra linebackers add versatility and more depth on special teams. Also, he says, “it’s very hard to recruit defensive linemen at the CAA level.”

Former Concord High standout Grant Roberts, a senior defensive lineman with extensive game experience for the Hens, figures prominently in the new defense. Despite having to adjust to the new coaching staff and a new defense, the Wilmington native expects a big debut for the ‘17 Hens. “We expect to win. We all expect to be successful,” he says.

Roberts, who has 48 tackles (27 solo) to his credit entering his final season, would love to end his college career as a champion, but he isn’t getting ahead of himself.

“Our focus is first getting back to a winning season,” he says.

At Liberty and Richmond, Rocco, 57, never had a losing season. Photo Moonloop Photography
At Liberty and Richmond, Rocco, 57, never had a losing season. Photo Moonloop Photography

When Dave Brock became head coach in 2013, Roberts says, “Everyone was excited and there was a strong vibe going into the future.” But Brock managed just one winning season, and was fired midway through his fourth year. The Hens were 2-4 at the time, en route to another 4-7 finish.

Delaware’s football family is a tight-knit one, and people are loath to criticize Brock for the team’s downturn.

“Coach Brock was great,” Roberts insists.

But things clearly weren’t working and a change of direction was needed, so Brock’s firing wasn’t a surprise.

Roberts is focused on moving forward. “There were definitely some tough games—some of which we should’ve won – but … we had a talented roster even though things didn’t work out.”

Rocco admits the challenge of rebuilding Delaware’s program was one thing that drew him here.

“The biggest challenge was changing the culture and the expectations of the program,” he says. “Delaware lacked a unifying, confident culture among its student-athletes. They didn’t believe they could win.”

Rawak and Rocco are out to change that, and both understand they are “in this thing together.”

“Rebuilding this program,” says Rocco, “is truly a team effort. No one coach can change a culture alone.”

The Hens lost just three starters to graduation, so he sees a solid foundation on which to build.

“We have the right people at the right time,” he says. “I have confidence we can win.”

Rocco enjoyed immediate success at both Liberty University and at Richmond, where he turned a 3-8 team into one with an 8-3 record and a share of the CAA title in a single season.

That turnaround is partly why expectations are high that UD will return to its winning ways this season.  It’s also a major reason why Chrissi Rawak hired Rocco.

Immediate Impact

Rawak was executive senior associate athletic director for the University of Michigan when she was hired as the new AD by first-year Delaware President Denis Assanis last May. She wasted no time in making her presence felt.

A month after firing Brock, Rawak announced that, starting this year, the university would reverse the unpopular policy of requiring a donation to the UD Athletic Fund with most season ticket purchases. The policy, begun in 2011, helped boost UDAF coffers but alienated fans and contributed to a drastic reduction in both season ticket sales and attendance.

Then, in December, Rawak made what may be her most important move as AD to date: hiring Huntingdon, Pa., native Rocco as the new head coach.

Rocco was identified as a candidate early on and has an impressive résumé: in compiling a 90-42 record that includes six conference titles, he garnered four conference Coach of the Year honors and was a national FCS Coach of the Year finalist five times.

Rocco understands and appreciates Delaware football’s tradition, and he hopes to return the program to national prominence. He has his eyes set first on a conference championship. 

“If you’re competing for a conference championship at the CAA level, then you are nationally relevant,” he says. Eight wins would likely get the Hens into the postseason.

The new season begins in Newark on Aug. 31, against Delaware State. While recognizing there are several storylines that will have people talking in the fall—playing defending national FCS champs James Madison (Sept. 30) and Richmond (Oct. 21), both at home—the most important game for Rocco is DSU, “because it’s the next one up on the schedule.”

First Recruiting Class

“Success,” says Rocco, “also comes from identifying, recruiting and developing talent.” He has accomplished that at his other posts, and as a result his teams have won consistently.

At UD, after getting his staff in place, he focused on his first recruitment class, ensuring that the right student-athletes were being brought into the program.

His approach is, first, “to recruit character.” He and his staff look for young people with ambition, who want to succeed both as student-athletes and at life. “We care about our student-athletes as people—about their success on and off the field,” the head coach says.

“They need to be goal-oriented and highly-motivated,” he adds.

He is excited about his inaugural class, announced in late January.

“We recruited extraordinarily well despite a late start and new staff,” he says, noting the process was facilitated by the fact that the coaches themselves were willing to take a big risk on the program. “The families appreciated that,” says Rocco.

Delaware offered scholarships to 15 players; 14 accepted, marking Rocco’s highest success rate to date. Two players who had previously committed to Richmond changed their minds when Rocco left, and followed him to UD.

Rocco’s first group of incoming freshmen includes four wide receivers, a running back, a tight end, a defensive end, a defensive lineman, a defensive back, a linebacker, three offensive linemen and a quarterback.

That group includes offensive lineman Mickey Henry, a Wilmington native out of St. Elizabeth’s, and standout quarterback Nolan Henderson, of two-time Division I state champion Smyrna. The MVP of the annual Blue-Gold Game in June, Henderson holds many state records, including touchdown passes in a career—105.

He adds additional depth at quarterback, following the off-season transfer of J.P. Caruso from Appalachian State. Caruso was expected to compete for the top job with Joe Walker, Delaware’s starting quarterback the past two seasons. Rocco hadn’t decided going into camp in July who his starter would be.

“It’s all about who gives us the best chance to win,” Rocco told The Wilmington News Journal.

Brothers in Arms 

Another position where the Hens enjoy some depth is linebacker, thanks in part to brothers Troy and Colby Reeder, former standouts at Salesianum School. Both are former Delaware Defensive Players of the Year—Troy in 2013, Colby in 2015—and were heavily recruited.

Troy Reeder, 22, went to Penn State, where he started at linebacker as a red-shirt freshman, racking up 67 tackles, an interception and a pass breakup.

Colby, 20, followed in the footsteps of their father, former Wing-T fullback Dan Reeder, and enrolled at Delaware. (Dan Reeder is 12th on UD’s career rushing list, with 2,067 yards gained between 1982 and 1984; he later played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.)

The Reeder brothers were reunited last year when Troy transferred to UD to be with his younger brother. Troy doesn’t regret the decision. He says he and Colby have always been very close and bring out the best in each other. Playing college ball together was something the pair had dreamed of from the time they were little.

Rocco, who himself played linebacker for the Nittany Lions (1979-80) before finishing up at Wake Forest, has high praise for the Reeders.

“They’re doing really exciting work, they’re good role models,” Rocco says. “Troy is exactly what you’re looking for in a football player.”

Troy, a captain of this year’s squad, is excited to be home and starting a new season

“There’s no pressure on the players at all,” he says. “Everyone knows what this team is capable of and that we underachieved last year.”

Colby, who was redshirted his freshman year due to injury, is now healthy and ready to compete for a starting job. “I expect to see significant playing time this year,” he says.

Colby admits to some friendly competition between the brothers in the weight room, but that’s where any sibling rivalry ends. On the field, the more experienced Troy “helps me out a lot, and we work together well,” says Colby.

The Old Guard

For long-time fans, the Reeders may evoke memories of two other well-known Blue Hen brothers—Michael and Joseph Purzycki.

Mike Purzycki (Class of ’67), a standout wide receiver who set multiple records at Delaware, including becoming UD’s first-ever 1,000-career yard receiver, was elected Mayor of Wilmington last November.

Younger brother Joe (Class of ’70), recruited by Tubby Raymond, was an All-America defensive back who recorded a then-record nine interceptions in 1969, his senior year. He returned to UD as a defensive backfield coach under Raymond in 1978, a year before the Hens took the Division II title.

Joe Purzycki was on the search committee that hired Rawak. She, in turn, asked Purzycki, as well as former NFL quarterbacks Rich Gannon and Scott Brunner, for their input when seeking Brock’s replacement.

Rocco says he’s received strong support from Gannon, Brunner, both Purzyckis and others. “They’ve all been great,” he says. “They genuinely care and want what’s best for Delaware.”

Joe Purzycki, whose deep love for UD football is palpable, says of the new head coach, “Rocco is a good fit for UD. He’s cut from the same mold as earlier Delaware coaches. A football coach is who he is.”

Purzycki is impressed with Rocco’s winning record and the turnaround he effected at Richmond. A former college head coach himself (DSU, JMU), Purzycki knows the effort that requires.

Just as impressive, says Purzycki, was that during the search, “everyone who had coached either for or against Rocco over the years had nothing but the highest praise for him.”

“He’s worked for some of the best coaches in the business,” he adds, including former Jets Head Coach Al Groh, and Tom Coughlin, who led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl titles. 

“You can’t be surrounded by such talent and not have some of it rub off on you,” says Purzycki.

If Rocco is feeling any pressure to produce results immediately, he doesn’t let on.

“It’s hard to put a time line on the rebuilding project, but I expect this year’s team to be competitive,” he reaffirms, sounding cautiously optimistic yet enthusiastic about the year ahead.

“You can’t just jam a program into a model and be successful—things need massaging,” he says.

When announcing the hiring in December, Rawak said Rocco’s impact would be felt immediately, but she also recognizes it takes time to build programs. She insists she hasn’t given Rocco a timetable for markedly improved on-the-field performance. But, she says, “When we step on the field, we play to win.”

While acknowledging that the record at the end of the 2107 season will be important, she says she also deeply values the process needed to get to where UD wants to be.

“There is always lots to learn, and the focus is on always getting better,” she says.

For their part, the players—the most important part of the process—are optimistic.

“Something really special is happening,” says Troy Reeder. “The players are buying into [Rocco’s] philosophy of winning each day, one day at a time.”

Blue Hen fans hope the captain is right.

100 Reasons to be a Happy Camper

Things to be optimistic about

It’s February. The trees are bare, the temperatures hover near freezing, it’s dark by six in the evening, football season is over, and baseball is two months away. What’s more, we are coming off a year that was disquieting, to say the least. It was fraught with social and political upheaval, the passing of an extraordinary number of beloved celebrities, many at a relatively young age, continued violent crime in our city and our nation, along with unrest, war and terrorism throughout the world.

Yet there is always reason—make that reasons—for hope. In fact, when the staff of Out & About began putting together our list of things to be optimistic about, we found it relatively easy to come up with 100. And while 100 is a nice, round number, these are by no means the only reasons to be optimistic about 2017. Feel free to send us your list.

1 In 2015, approximately 700,000 volunteer hours were documented by Delaware’s Office of Volunteerism. The value of this continuing service is estimated at more than $15 million.

2 Through Meals On Wheels Delaware last year, 738,807 meals were delivered to approximately 4,000 seniors by more than 1,000 volunteers. That’s an 11 percent increase from 2015.

3 In 2016, 420 volunteers contributed 3,685 hours at The Delaware Center for Horticulture, helping the nonprofit continue its statewide mission of cultivating greener communities.

4 After years of fundraising, the folks behind Preston’s Playground are getting closer to achieving their goal of $500,000. The 8,400-square-foot space at the base of the Newark Reservoir will be outfitted with a rubberized base and handicap-accessible entrances and exits for kids of all abilities and disabilities. You can help them get there by donating at prestonsplayground.com.

5 The Delaware River is the longest undammed river east of the Mississippi, and it’s not just an important habitat for wildlife—it’s a major economic engine for our region, too. A recent study shows that the basin contributes $25 billion annually in economic activity and supports 600,000 jobs in our region.Brown cardboard moving box on white with a fragile sticker

6 Amazon announced last month that it will hire 100,000 new employees over the course of the next year and a half. That’s a 56 percent increase in its U.S. workforce (180,000 at the end of 2016). The New York Times reported that “Amazon fulfillment centers across the country stand to be among the biggest beneficiaries.”

7 Trying to stem high turnover in store jobs, nonprofit groups and chains such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot and the Home Shopping Network are launching a program to help people develop the skills to land entry-level jobs and advance in a retail career. More than 20 major retailers, including Neiman Marcus and Ashley Stewart, have pledged general support for the Rise Up program that was launched Jan. 15.

8 After looking at options in neighboring states, Chemours—the DuPont Co. chemical spin-off—announced it would remain in Delaware. Not only does this keep the long-standing DuPont family name in business in the First State, it also saves the jobs of some 1,000 workers who may have been otherwise laid off or forced to relocate.

9 About a year after DuPont laid off 200 Experimental Station employees (that’s the bad news), it announced last month that it would be investing $200 million into the facility (that’s the good news). Enhancements in the lab space won’t just benefit DuPont and Dow, which are merging to create three new companies, two of which will be based in Delaware. It also will be a boon for third-party science companies looking for business incubation space.

10 The Delaware Restaurant Association’s ProStart Program continues to teach life skills and create career opportunities for Delaware’s youth. It is currently in 18 high schools, reaches more than 3,000 students, and offers more than $100,000 in scholarship money.

11 There are upwards of 1,000 co-working spaces in the United States—and at least four in Wilmington: The Mill, coIN Loft, 1313 Innovation and Artist Ave. Station—fostering creative collaborations and community.

12 At the University of Delaware, the last three years have seen the most diverse entering undergraduate class in the institution’s history, with more than 25 percent coming from historically underrepresented and underserved communities.

13 Vice President Joe Biden returns home to Delaware for some well-deserved R&R. But he won’t be sitting still long. He plans to collaborate with the University of Delaware on economic and domestic policy, an effort that hopefully will spell great things ahead for both the country and the First State.

14 Delaware’s graduation rate is rising, according to the U.S. Department of Education. During the 2014-2015 schoolyear, the upward trend in Delaware graduation success (85 percent) mirrored the recently-released graduation data from the Department that showed the nation hitting a record high (83 percent) for high school graduation. The rise has been steady since 2010.

15 Community gardens are becoming more prominent. The Delaware Center for Horticulture currently supports approximately 20 throughout New Castle County.

16 Delaware is reducing food waste. Last year, Food Bank of Delaware redirected more than 2 million pounds of food destined for landfills to the tables of those in need. It expects to exceed that total in 2017.

17 Last year, the Food Bank of Delaware received almost 9 million pounds of donated food.

18 Local farmers’ markets have surpassed $3 million in sales annually over the past couple of years and area family farmers are finding new markets by selling to local supermarkets, who recognize their value.

19 Every Delaware public school district buys directly from local farmers.

20 On Jan. 13, Panera Bread announced that it had removed artificial ingredients from its food menu and Panera at Home products in the United States. The company has said that by year end it would remove artificial flavors and colors, preservatives and sweeteners from the food served at its 2,000 restaurants.

21 You might recycle, drive an environmentally-friendly car—good. Next step? Composting for your garden. The state offers workshops, classes and demonstrations on composting throughout the year.

22 Delaware now diverts nearly 43 percent of recyclables from landfills to recycling operations. That’s nearly 8 billion pounds of trash.

23 Delaware’s municipal solid waste recycling rate has been steadily improving for the past decade. The rate is currently 42.6 percent, up from 23.2 percent in 2006. The state goal is 60 percent by 2020.

24 The U.S. Department of Energy has tapped the University of Delaware to be a key player in the new Rapid Advancement in Process Intensification Deployment (RAPID) Manufacturing Institute led by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). RAPID’s role will be to develop breakthrough technologies and processes to boost energy productivity and efficiency and decrease environmental impacts, especially related to chemical manufacturing.

25 The United States continues to lead the world in number of patents filed, with 109,353 in the first half of 2016. It isn’t even close. Second-place Japan had 24,200. Proof that America has a lot of people with a lot of ideas.

26 More hybrid and electric vehicles are on the road. It seems the auto manufacturers are finally getting the hint that consumers not only want to save on gasoline, but also want to save the planet. Hybrids aren’t going anywhere and now it seems EVs (Electric Vehicles) are here to stay. There are now more than 20 plug-in models offered from more than a dozen brands.

27 The Chevy Bolt has been named top car in North America, an important milestone for a car General Motors hopes will finally get Americans hooked on electric vehicles. The honor was announced Jan. 9 in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show.

28 The first self-sufficient boat powered only by emission-free energy will start a six-year trip around the world in the spring. Energy Observer, a former multi-hull race boat converted into a green vessel equipped with solar panels, wind turbines and a hydrogen fuel cell system, will be powered by wind, the sun, and self-generated hydrogen. The boat, which is currently in a shipyard in Saint-Malo (western France), will set sail from the Brittany port.

29 Wind and solar are crushing fossil fuels. Clean energy investment now outpaces gas and coal 2 to 1. As renewable energy is becoming ever cheaper to produce, installations are booming. Recent trends show that wealthier countries are slowly phasing out coal out entirely.

30 In 2015, REI—outdoor outfitters Recreational Equipment Inc.—gave more than 72 percent of its profit to community projects (and generous employee bonuses). This generosity has a direct, positive impact on Delaware parks (see story, pg. 21).

31 While 2016’s stats aren’t released yet, DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation saw a 19 percent jump in camping throughout state parks between 2014 and 2015. Keep getting outdoors!

32 Families have only so many options at the beach when the weather turns bad: the outlets, the movies, and that’s pretty much it. But now there is Lefty’s Alley & Eats in Lewes, which opened in January. The joint offers bowling, laser tag, and an arcade, as well as a 110-seat restaurant and bar.

33 Beach-goers will now have a new, large concert venue come this summer, thanks to Highway One (Rusty Rudder, Bottle & Cork) opening a 4,000-capacity, amphitheater-style venue at Hudson Fields in Milton. The first concert— country music band Old Dominion—is set to christen the place on June 1.

34 Suicide Sunday, the Running of the Bull, an Orange (or Grapefruit) Crush, Kristen and the Noise; these terms are synon
ymous with summers in Dewey, and all dwell under the same roof. Yes, The Starboard Opening Weekend begins March 16, coinciding with the first day of spring (March 20).

35 Anyone can hit the outlets year-round, but getting a good deal in town can be a little harder to find. Your best bet for beach discounts is to hit the annual sidewalk sales in Rehoboth. There are two dates this year: the spring event the weekend of May 19-20 and the fall event from Oct. 6-8.

36 Firefly, perhaps the best Delaware music event ever, returns to The Woodlands in Dover June 15-18. Regardless of age, you owe yourself the experience.

37 The Wilmington Grand Prix has been named to USA Cycling’s national calendar for the 10th straight year and will bring an international cycling field to Downtown Wilmington May 19-20. The event has generated more than $3 million in economic impact since 2012.

38 Each year, the St. Anthony’s Italian Festival celebrates the culture of a particular region of the home country, and in 2017, Sicily is the focus. That means lots of dishes with eggplant and sardines, pignolata and almond cookies, and plenty of refreshing ice granita.

39 After hitting the $1 million mark in tickets sales last season for the first time in its 38-year history, Delaware Theatre Company continues to build its regional reputation by presenting two new plays in 2017 that will then move on to New York City: White Guy on the Bus and Hetty Feather.

40 Who says we don’t like opera? In 2016, 20,184 people attended a performance by OperaDelaware, the state’s only professional opera company and the 11th oldest opera company in the nation.

41 The Light Up The Queen Foundation continues its fundraising ways with its sixth anniversary show on March 4, this one titled Shine A Light on ‘77. Some of the best local musicians will gather at World Cafe Live to pay tribute to the year 1977, which saw the likes of Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder topping the charts.

42 Wilmington’s arthouse cinema destination Theatre N reopened last fall under new leadership with fresh momentum. You go, local arts scene!

43 On the heels of setting the record for total number of Emmy awards (38, besting Frasier by one), Game of Thrones returns to HBO this summer. Date to be announced.

44 Netflix’s instant cult classic that premiered last August, Stranger Things, is returning for season two to drag us all—happily—back to the Upside Down.

45 Veep, nominated once again for Best Television Series—Musical or Comedy, returns in the spring. All hail Julia Louis-Dreyfus!

46 Aubrey Plaza, Delaware’s favorite funny girl, gets a shot at starring in Marvel Comics’ Legion this spring on FX. Plaza plays “Lenny,” the chatty, psychiatric ward counterpart to David Haller (Dan Stevens), whose schizophrenic nature forces him to question whether he’s human, mutant, or both.

47 Ladybug, Wilmington’s own little version of Lilith Fair, will be rocking Lower Market Street (LOMA) once again this summer. The female-driven music festival takes place July 20-21, and offers advantages over Firefly Music Festival: it’s a heck of a lot closer and a heck of a lot cheaper—in fact, it’s free!

48 It’s quite a scheduling accomplishment for The Grand Opera House as it brings one of the world’s greatest humorists, Dave Sedaris, back to Wilmington almost every year. Do yourself a favor and read one of Sedaris’ many best-selling books, then go see him on April 12.

49 Fueled by laugh-out-loud skits, a talented and diverse cast and a powerhouse line-up of hosts and guests, Saturday Night Live is enjoying a resurgence. Its 42nd season kicked off with its best premiere ratings in eight years.

50 The Trump administration will provide endless fodder for late night talk shows and especially Saturday Night Live, where Alec Baldwin will be assured of continued employment.

51 Trump will inspire progressives to be vigilant and vocal in opposition to attempts to roll back gains related to the environment, women’s health, marriage equality, religious liberty, civil rights, etc.

52 Per No. 51, there was the Jan. 21 Women’s March on Washington.

53 Donald Trump’s strategy of publicly shaming corporations for exporting jobs may prove effective in job creation and bringing U.S. companies back to America.

54 Facebook has taken steps to address its role in spreading fake news, such as enlisting the help of third-party fact-checkers, according to Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg. The social network was widely criticized for allowing false stories to circulate in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election.

55 Contrary to newsroom sensationalism, violent crime in the U.S. continues to decline and has been on a steady downward trend since 1991.

56 The employment report showed solid gains in December despite the narrowing supply of unemployed workers in the labor market.

57 Democrat Mike Purzycki won the election for Mayor of Wilmington in November, and already citizens of “A Place to be Somebody” are excited for their future. Purzycki chose a solid transition team, which included Out & About’s own Jerry duPhily as Cultural Affairs chair. Purzycki’s website (mikeformayor2016.com) includes an “ideas” button for citizens to submit suggestions on how to improve the city.

58 It takes a village. Two newly-elected leaders, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, have promised an unprecedented spirit of cooperation in addressing the county’s major challenges.

59 Dr. LaVerne Harmon will become the first black female college president in Delaware history when she assumes the reins at Wilmington University after Dr. Jack Varsalona retires on June 30.

60 From July 2015 to July 2016, Delawareans checked out more than 360,000 STEM-related (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) books. That’s a lot of educational material being read—and shows that libraries are still relevant and thriving.

61 Some recent studies have shown that being optimistic can decrease your risk of heart attacks and strokes and increase longevity.

62 After decades of increasing, the national childhood obesity rate has leveled off and the rise in obesity among adults is beginning to slow, according to the Center for Disease Control. Obesity remains one of the biggest threats to the health of our children and our country, putting millions of Americans at increased risk for a range of chronic diseases and contributing to more than $147 billion dollars in preventable healthcare spending. At least its progress.

63 Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States, accounting for more than 480,000 deaths every year, or one of every five deaths. But according to the CDC, smoking has declined from nearly 21 of every 100 adults (20.9 percent) in 2005 to about 15 of every 100 adults (15.1 percent) in 2015.

64 According to a recently published article in the journal Pediatrics, the use of physical discipline is decreasing and enthusiasm for alternative forms of discipline is increasing among mothers of all socioeconomic backgrounds. (Delaware is good at being first: In 2012, we became the first state to pass a law that effectively outlawed the corporal discipline of children by their parents.)

65 Drug advances to look for in 2017 include: a vaccine for HIV beginning Phase II trials, the use of the dissociative anesthetic ketamine to target treatment-resistant depression, new drugs and therapies based on the microbiome and even a new female libido booster that’s up for approval.

66 Expect further improvements in robotic surgery. In addition to the currently available da Vinci Surgical System, look for competition from the new surgical robot system developed by the partnership of Google and Johnson & Johnson. These systems will allow for minimally invasive surgeries on the most delicate elements of human anatomy.

67 In 2016, according to the journal Science, the discovery of gravitational waves launched a new branch of science. Think black holes, dark matter, seeing further back in time…some pretty intense stuff.

68 Space exploration is back in vogue. Last March, Commander Scott Kelly completed his one-year mission in space, providing tons of data on what it’s like to live in the weightless environment. NASA’s Juno satellite arrived at Jupiter in July and continues to provide the most precise data that the agency has ever collected on the giant planet. And in August, an international team of astronomers confirmed the discovery of another Earth-like planet in a habitable zone four light years away from us.

69 Twenty percent of all international tourists—that’s 200 million people—are millennials, according to a United Nations study, and that’s now the fastest-growing age segment in terms of the money spent on travel. What does this translate to? Increased open-mindedness, understanding of different cultures, and new perspectives for the world’s future leaders.

70 People are interested in visiting us. More than a half-million people visited VisitWilmingtonDe.com, the official tourism website for New Castle County, in 2016.

71 Be sure to thank your visiting in-laws. Thanks to tourism, each Delaware household will pay approximately $1,360 less in taxes this year.

72 For the first time in years, Wilmington will see at least four major ground-up new construction sites in Downtown and Riverfront Wilmington.

73 While it’s still years away from breaking ground, a direct rail line from Wilmington to the Philadelphia Airport has inched closer to approval. Federal officials gave their stamp of approval on a proposal for upgrades to the Northeast Corridor, but it would need financial backing from state or local government. Fingers crossed, commuters.

74 The Brandywine YMCA is scheduled to start a 16,000-square-foot expansion this spring. It will include adding adaptive fitness equipment for patrons with limited mobility and renovated preschool classrooms.

75 In 2017 there will be 450 more new apartments in the Downtown and Riverfront Wilmington districts than existed only three years ago.

76 Main Street Wilmington opened 2017 in conversation with 15 businesses looking to locate Downtown.

77 Downtown Wilmington will see at least six new food and beverage destinations open this year.


78
You can now get a cup of coffee in Downtown Wilmington on Sunday. In fact, it’s a Starbucks, located on Market Street.

79 DiFonzo Bakery, a Wilmington institution since 1945, is returning to Little Italy after a 13-year absence.

80 Delaware’s restaurant industry, the largest small business employer in Delaware at 11 percent of the total workforce, expects to add 1,000 jobs each year for the next 10 years. The majority will be at the managerial level.

81 Cajun Kate’s New Orleans Market has been a staple at the Booths Corner Farmers Market for about a decade, but a trip to Pennsylvania during the limited hours of operation wasn’t exactly ideal for Delawareans. Now we can all get our Cajun and Creole fix from Kate and company a little closer to home, thanks to the second location that recently opened in Bellefonte. The dine-in area seats 30.

82 Most sushi lovers were sad to see Kooma leave the Wilmington Riverfront in 2016, but all foodies are excited to see Del Pez reinvigorate the old space. The Newark-based Mexican gastropub got its second location at 400 Justison St. in December, and so far, reviews are positive.

83 Although a location hasn’t been selected or approved yet, we have on very good authority that Grain, one of Newark’s best and brightest new
restaurant stars, will have a sister restaurant in the next year. A second Grain (perhaps in the Wilmington area?) would be something special for fans of great pub fare and a polished craft beer selection.

84 Craft beer lovers can rejoice as they have more choices than ever. The number of breweries has been steadily increasing since Prohibition (when there were none), and as of the end of November 2016 there were 5,005. Ninety-nine percent of them are small and independent craft breweries.


can185
Iron Hill locations started canning their beers a few years ago, and now the regional chain’s resolution for 2017 includes canned beer available at all times at every location. That includes appearances by the Ore House IPA and seasonals like the Rising Sun IPA, with Sorachi Ace hops.

86 Amid the new restaurant, expansion, and canning program, let’s not forget why Dogfish Head put Delaware on the craft beer map: the beer! This year, there will be three new brews, including Saison du BUFF, a collaboration with Stone Brewing Co. and Victory Brewing Co.

87 Odds are you’ve passed the old Bull’s Eye more than a hundred times over the 23 years it’s been open for business. But after a change in ownership, the place is getting a makeover. Craft beer options, carefully prepared comfort food, a refurbished interior and a sparkling new red-and-white sign make this somewhat forgotten stopover a new neighborhood destination.


88
Delaware’s growing fleet of food trucks will get another member this spring when Wheely’s Café starts roaming the streets of Old New Castle. A “carbon-neutral mobile café,” Wheely’s will serve locally roasted, fair trade, organic coffee, cappuccino, espresso and tea. Follow them on Facebook for a list of locations where they’ll be setting up shop.

89 On July 22, the Newark Food & Brew Festival will celebrate its 14th anniversary. The Food & Brew, now a rite of summer in Newark, is one of the state’s first craft beer-focused festivals.

90 Delaware’s biggest costume party, the Halloween Loop, returns for its 38th year on Saturday, Oct. 28. How many Donald Trump look-alikes do you think we’ll see?

91 Sounds like it will be a good year for local music. This month will see new albums from Davey Dickens Jr. and The Troubadours and Ringleader, plus a video of the new single from Gozer. Look for Gozer to follow up with a full release, “Sick of Waking Up,” on cassette this spring. Over the summer, count on The Joe Trainor Trio to deliver Three, followed by albums from both The Cocks and Grace Vonderkuhn in the fall.

92 There are rumors of a 2017 Phish Europe tour—or a “baker’s dozen” run at Madison Square Garden.


93
According to BuzzAngle Music’s first-ever yearly report, vinyl album sales in 2016 were up more than 25 percent from 2015, despite the fact that physical album sales were down 11.7 percent and subscription streams (a competing format) rose nearly 125 percent. This is good news for independent record stores such as Rainbow and Jupiter Records. The numbers also give credence to the notion that vinyl is still alive and growing, and that the format offers up-and-coming bands the opportunity to make more money than via streaming options, which—although popular—generally pay peanuts.

94 Chris Berman is retiring from most of his duties at ESPN. It was time. One more “back-back-back-back-back” at the MLB home run competition would have been one too many.

95 Phillies pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 13—the first precursor of spring.

96 Carson Wentz will be in his second year as the quarterback (and the future) of the Eagles, and Coach Doug Pederson also will be in his second year. No more rookie mistakes?

97 Blue Hens football admits it laid an egg with the licensing fee for season ticket holders and ends the policy for the 2017 season. For good measure, new University of Delaware Athletics Director Chrissy Rawak has brought in a new head coach, Danny Rocco, who led Richmond to playoff appearances in each of the past three seasons.


98
The Flyers are moving in the right direction. As they celebrate 50 years this season, a young team proves they have deep talent and could squeak into the postseason (Hopefully that doesn’t change by the time this is published).

99 Joel Embid is the real deal. Ben Simmons will be on the court soon. The 76ers are returning to relevance.

100 Print media: It’s still here!

The ‘Upcycle’ Entrepreneur

Celebrating one year at her Market Street shop, Cherné Bishop specializes in accessories for the ‘everyday fashion icon’

Class of 2012 University of Delaware fashion merchandising major Cherné Altovise Bishop, owner of the 316 N. Market St. accessories shop Cherné Altovise, is enthusiastic about her store’s approaching one-year anniversary on Oct. 17.

The milestone is just one check on the 26-year-old entrepreneur’s list of career goals, which includes future locations in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New York City – all of them based on her slogan of creating options for the “everyday fashion icon.”

Bishop’s approach to designing accessories—for women as well as men and children—is actually a form of redesigning. She artistically interprets the reuse method of “upcycling” by transforming an existing product into something better.

Upcycled products provide the base for most of her accessories and window displays.

For example, Bishop may begin by shopping for vintage items that will ultimately be altered into one-of-a-kind pieces, or a customer will bring in a piece he or she wants redesigned.

“You’ll bring in your grandmother’s pearls, and I’ll change them into something else entirely,” Bishop says. “Or someone may walk in and say, ‘I bought this charm in South America, can you make me something with it?’”

Customized jewelry is just one segment of Bishop’s product line—not all products are used or from recycled materials. She’ll also work on trend and bulk pieces and, additionally, present collection items that are debuted on regional runways and through private events at the shop for customers to get a first look. Items start at around $18.

Not surprisingly, Bishop is passionate about sustainability. She incorporated it into her lifestyle in her high school and college years by being selective about where she shopped, recreating items and recycling. Her store reflects that continuing passion.

“Now that I have a storefront, I also have a great window space to portray sustainability’s importance in my life,” Bishop says.

Inspired by the staged window displays of fashion retailers like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, Bishop says her displays always create foot traffic. They often feature donated recycled goods from other local businesses—Parcels, Inc., Downtown Visions, Bobbi Rhian’s Executive Lounge, local bars and restaurants, to name a few —which Bishop then transforms into whatever theme she wants to feature.

“Even if you’re not coming in, you may want to stop and take a picture,” says Bishop.

One of the recent displays had a backdrop covered with 279 soda cans in the form of the American flag. Bishop gathered the cans by offering discounts to customers who brought in cans, and she collected additional empty cans from nearby bars and lounges. Another display for a back-to-school theme included life-size pencils made from recycled shipping tubes from Parcels. Another segment utilized old fencing from what would have gone into Downtown Visions’ trash.

“Now that I’m known for it, people bring things in for me to work with instead of throwing them away,” Bishop says. “And my customers let me know they look forward to it.”

Bishop, who started designing jewelry at the age of 10, has run the business online and in boutiques since 2008, adding the storefront last year. She worked at Nordstrom as a stylist and men’s department manager before leaving to devote herself to Cherné Altovise fulltime. The shop—modestly-sized with a clean, black-and-white aesthetic—is open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

And while Bishop is ambitious, she’s not in a rush to expand to those other cities on her checklist. “Because I hand-make my own pieces, I believe in going at my own pace because I don’t want to sacrifice the quality of my work just because I want to have more products or to expand too quickly,” she says.

In the meantime, the store is a regular stop on the Wilmington Art Loop—Friday, Oct. 7, this month. Also, every third Friday (this month, Oct. 21), Bishop’s store takes part in a multicultural-entrepreneur-in-business initiative, Melanin on Market. This month’s Melanin on Market will be even bigger in celebration of Bishop’s one-year anniversary, and the store will offer sales and giveaways throughout the day on Oct. 17.

For more information, visit chernealtovise.com.